Chemical ecology: A key to mitigate biodiversity threats arising from vector-born pathogens

Vector borne diseases are a major threat to human, domesticated and wildlife populations. Many vectors are bloodsucking insects that rely on olfactory cues for finding their meal. These olfactory cues can be manipulated by the pathogen to ensure transmission. First, this project will investigate how particular malaria strains and the birds’ MHC genes determine odour profiles. Second, a combination of blood-feeding behavioural tests and RNAseq will be used to reveal the genetic basis to variation in vector responses to host odour profiles. The prediction is that specific avian malaria strains affect their vectors such that they avoid hosts with MHC genes that would allow the host to defend themselves. The results will also lead to predictions of specific combinations of genotype frequencies of hosts, pathogens and vectors that promote pathogen transfer resulting in more infected individuals in the population. These predictions will be tested using data from geographically separated populations. It is also predicted that the pathogen strains that are most efficiently transmitted between hosts also are the most virulent ones. The findings will be relevant in the general context of predicting and preventing the spread of vector borne pathogens. The results will in particular contribute to improved general guidelines for predictions of the likelihood and consequences of pathogen range expansion.

Project details

Measurement of Transmission
Vector Control

Jan 2019 — Dec 2021

$330,629

Sweden